The 2018 SsangYong Rexton is said to be ditching the SsangYong badging and instead will use Mahindra name. The company will launch the SUV by next Diwali in 2018.

Mahindra & Mahindra has confirmed to Autocarindia.com that it will launch the new SsangYong Rexton in the country by the second month of next year. We also reported in March this year that SsangYong revealed the official sketches of the 2018 Rexton then unveiled the new SUV at the 2017 Seoul Motor Show. The new SsangYong Rexton is based on the LIV-2 Concept showcased at the 2017 Paris Motor show and will be lighter than the predecessor model. The all-new G4 SsangYong Rexton will be locally manufactured in that will include welding parts and paint jobs. The company also confirmed that the powertrain and body panels will be imported from Korean suppliers.

The new 2018 SsangYong Rexton will be based on the company's body-on-frame chassis and will be powered by a 2.2 litre turbocharged diesel engine. The turbocharged diesel unit is expected to deliver 187 hp of maximum power and 420 Nm of torque and will be paired to a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed automatic gearbox. It is also expected that the car manufacturer might also launch the upcoming SUV with a 2.0 litre petrol engine with 225 hp of power.

The 7-seater Rexton will also share its features with the LIV-2 Concept. It will get a new bumper, an updated front grille, headlamps with LED DRLs (Daytime Running Lamps) and new alloy wheels. It is also expected that the carmaker might also change the badging of the Rexton from SsangYong to Mahindra. The cabin, on the other hand, will feature upmarket and premium material quality and a 9.2-inch infotainment screen with Wi-Fi, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, USB, AUX as well as Bluetooth connectivity options.

Expected to be priced around Rs 25 lakh, ex-showroom, it will compete with the likes of the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour in the country. Mahindra is expected to first launch the 2018 Rexton in Korea and it will later go on sale in other parts of the world, including in India.